Thursday, April 17, 2008 Other unions to back BPI workers’ strike
BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Cebu employees will hold a strike next week.
BPI Cebu Employees Independent Union president Milbert John Dacayana submitted to the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) 7 a report showing that majority of the 180 employees voted in favor of a strike.
The employees accused bank management of unfair labor practice, particularly union busting, and violating the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) secretary’s authority.
The Dole has assumed jurisdiction over the labor dispute after the union first filed a “notice to strike” last Nov. 29.
Dacayana said the conflict began when the 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. banking hours was extended by two hours nationwide.
The change resulted in employees, doing daily audit, going home as late as 10 p.m.
When the Cebu employees threatened to hold a strike, BPI reconsidered and changed the schedule to 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for the Cebu branches.
Dacayana said the new working schedule demoralized the employees.
He said that though Labor Secretary Arturo Brion has announced jurisdiction over the dispute to prevent a strike, BPI vice presidents Marlo Basilgo and Mawel Herbosa still had him fired.
In a general membership meeting at the Capitol Parish Social Hall along Escario St., Cebu City last April 11, majority of the union members agreed to continue with the strike.
“There is a recurring threat to bust our union and the outright neglect of trade union and workers’ right by the BPI management,” the union said in a press statement.
Boboie Belarmino of the Cebu Labor Coalition said that several Cebu labor groups will support the BPI union in its protest action.
In a separate interview, NCMB 7 Director Edmundo Mirasol said a conciliation meeting was conducted the other day.
He, however, did not say what transpired during the meeting. (EOB)
